Reflecting in Gazing Balls…Rich in History

Dear Reader:

Joan, John’s mom, sent me this beautiful gazing ball a couple of years ago and it just lights up the garden. It is so iridescent that any light reflects back making the ball mirror people nearby or colorful flowers around it. * Especially when the gazing ball reflects the”yummy” orange colors of Crocosmia. *Doodle thinks she has seen it nicknamed the “fire king” of the “orange lucifer.” I just know it is pretty and my favorite color.

I, also, have a green gazing ball given to me many years ago when my garden was still just a flicker of my imagination, for my birthday….thanks Sherri!.

Having these gazing balls in my garden add so much visual delight to the overview of the entire garden. They make me smile and I can see my reflection smiling.

If “I had my druthers” I’d druther have another gazing ball (than just about any other ornament) in the garden. The sparkle they add to a garden is unsurpassed. And if you want to show off a special array of flowers or plants….a gazing ball attracts visitors to that (pre-planned) location..

I might be turning into the crazy “Mad” King Ludwig of Bavaria. He so loved gazing balls he had them produced in many sizes to be hung in trees, floated in ponds and displayed atop ornate pedestals around his castle. (King Ludwig’s obsession led to the use of glass baubles as Christmas tree ornaments.)

Here are some fascinating ways that gazing balls have been used in the past:

Tidbits of Historical Trivia on Gazing Balls

The ubiquitous lawn and garden ornament goes by many names, including lawn balls, yard globes, witch balls, fairy balls, mirror balls and globes of happiness.

The shiny spheres range widely in size, from less than two inches to over two feet.

The reflective globes found popularity in Victorian England, where they were displayed inside affluent homes.

After falling out of favor in the 19th century, gazing balls enjoyed a resurgence in the U.S. in the early 20th century as a sign of wealth.

Southern hosts would place the reflective spheres on porch rails to easily spot an iced tea glass that might need a refill.

“Witch Balls” were once used as protection from evil spirits, as witches would catch sight of their visage and either be trapped inside or frightened off, depending on the folklore.

A kinder version of the tale suggests fairy globes would attract friendly spirits, bringing good fortune to the home.

If a fragile, hand-blown gazing ball is cracked or its seal is broken, the spell is lost as moisture fogs the reflection.

Once known as “butler balls,” the reflective globe would be placed strategically on a dining room sideboard so Victorian Era servants could remain outside the room and still see when service was required.

Indoor gazing balls were also used to unobtrusively chaperone young couples during courtship. (Sneaky!)

A colorful gazing ball doesn’t just add style, these colorful globes will also attract birds to the yard, if positioned conspicuously.

(Source: Gazing Ball History-Mick Telcamp)

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I am feeling safer by the moment….I have my “haint blue” ceiling on the front porch and two gazing balls (witch balls) in the back to keep away bad spirits. I am surrounded by protective fun folklore. And P.S. gazing balls do attract birds….while taking photos of the gazing balls yesterday morning…I decided to change their location and an hour later there were six birds hopping and chirping around the garden and the gazing balls.!

So until tomorrow….Let us always look for new ways to increase the beauty of nature…we can’t compete but we can enhance….gazing balls do just that in our Father’s World.

“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

*Genes and chromosomes are fascinating “creatures.” I never thought that Eva Cate and Jakie looked very much alike until Mandy took this photo of them sitting side by side (and remaining still….a true miracle) on Facebook….I think by-standers would match them up as siblings….big sister and little brother.

Delights of the Day: My morning glories are going crazy right now….climbing up and down and all around the fence. My two big Lazy Susan plants are still blooming away….this miniature plant just started blooming too….”Little Lazy Susans.”

My neighbor, Jane, has had a lot of laughs about her Texas Star plant because apparently it looks like a marijuana plant. But see who’s got the last laugh now…..Beautiful Big Red Star with many more to come.

Anne took some photos of some of flowers in bloom around her home (last week) …but after looking at her collage of paintings, several which are various flowers, it is her painting that is the “Delight of the Day” for so many admirers who have proudly taken them home. She brings life into her home….”life imitating art.”